Blue liberty pouch

I made a patchwork panel using liberty fabric in blue shades. I was originally making something else but that didn’t go to plan!! Since I didn’t want this panel to go to waste, I made a pouch instead.

I decided to make the pouch to hold some scissors and a rotary cutter so I added wadding for protection. I wanted the closer/flap of my pouch to be in a solid colour, so I used some art gallery pure elements fabric. I also added interfacing to this and the lining for some stability. I used a kam snap fastening to be easy to use. 
 

 

I made this for my mums birthday, unfortunately I had to cut my panel in half to make the pouch the right size so the patchwork isn’t as even as i would have liked, but she likes it and that’s all that matters.

This was on my finish-a-long list of projects to do and you can read more about that here!

Mx

Basic boxed bag...

Continuing the theme of zipper pouches, I decided to return to the boxed corners with this step by step guide on how to make a fully boxed, lined pouch/bag. This makes a neat but roomy bag, perfect for cosmetics or stationary!

 

To start, back your lining fabric with some medium weight iron on interfacing to give it structure and help hold the boxed shape. Then, cut the following:

• 2 x outer fabric measuring 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" 
• 2 x lining fabric measuring 7 1/2" x 10 1/2"
• 1 x cardboard square template measuring 1 1/2"

You will also need a 8" zip and cotton to colour match the fabric. The handmade label is an optional extra I like to add into all my sewing projects. A short length of coordinating ribbon to use as a zip pull is another optional extra finishing touch which can look nice.
 

Using your square template, trace around each of the corners of all 4 fabric pieces. Cut the squares of fabric off and discard. 

 

Make a sandwich with the lining right side up, zipper tape teeth facing up and outer fabric right side down. Pin and sew using 1/4" seam allowance with the zipper foot on your machine. Fold the fabric back away from the zip and create another sandwich to attach the other side. 

 

Lay out flat and press. Top stitch along the edges of the zip for a neat finish. Part open the zip to allow for turning through.

 

Now turn so the outer fabrics are right sides together and the linings are right sides together. Pin around the edges, leaving the cutaway corners and a gap in the base of the lining. Add your handmade label into the side seam of the lining if you are including one.

Sew around the edges using the 1/4" seam allowance, ensuring you do a locking stitch at either end of every length of stitching, (putting the machine into reverse to create a short length of tripled up stitches to hold everything in place). 

To shape the boxed corners, open the fabric out where you have a gap in the stitching and pinch the seams together to create a flat edge. Try to ensure the side and base seams align before pinning and sewing.
 

 

For the corners near the zip at the top of the pouch, you need to pinch both the lining and outer fabric corners together. I find it easiest to pinch the corner of one fabric and ensure this is lined up, then still gripping this, pinch in the other side and bring this into line. It can be a little more tricky to ensure all the layers are aligned with each other and central to the zipper tape. Once all of the corners are pinned, sew on the machine using the same 1/4" seam allowance. You may wish to reverse stitch over the zip when sewing the top corners to reinforce the ends of the zip. 
 

Turn through to double check everything is OK on the right side before turning back through. Cut away the excess from the ends of the zipper, (using old scissors so you don't blunt nice fabric ones!) You might also want to go back around the seam allowance inside using pinking shears, zigzag stitching or an overlocker, to prevent fraying and remove excess bulk. 
 

Turn back through and slip stitch the gap in the lining before pushing this into the pouch. Give it a final press, loop the ribbon through the zip pull, knot and trim the ends to complete the pouch.

Don't forget to save your scraps... all of those little squares cut from the corners can be used in little patchwork projects and mini makes!!

 

Mx 

for the little kiddy winks ...

 

I bought these plain white bodysuits to customise for gifting. I used the screen sensations 'kiddywinks' screen and masked each design to screen print them separately with different coloured screen sensations inks. I used the 'smoothie' for the unicorn, 'niagara' for the bunny and 'seaglass' for the dinosaur. I think these cute little designs work perfectly to customise clothes for a baby.

 

Mx

tweet tweet...

I thought I'd share some more of my hand stitched felt key rings with you. I found a template on pintrest and printed it out. I then used this to cut the felt pieces to make the birds. Each one has two pieces for the body and two wings, I used a different shade of the coloured felt for the wings and chose embroidery floss to match. I laid the pieces out with a wing on each body piece making sure they were facing the opposite way so they would come together to make a bird. I then secured the wings with blanket stitch on the blue one and backstitch on the others. I added French knots in black thread to create eyes. I then stitched the two body pieces together using blanket stitch. Once part way round, I added stuffing to give the birds some shape and secured a loop of ribbon to attach the key ring and completed the stitching to close the gap. These were nice easy shapes to cut and sew, so they would be perfect for beginners !

 

Mx 

money, money, money!!

 

i made this little apron to keep money secure when doing a craft fair or market stall. i recycled some jeans that didn't fit as the main material for this project. If you want to make your own, follow the steps below...

1. cut off the leg to the required length, then cut up both of the seams (you could just cut one seam and keep the other as the base of the apron).
2. if you want extra detail, add this now, (I added an applique butterfly with free motion stitching to the front of mine.)
3. add the zip to the top of the apron on the front and apron tape to the back section (make sure its long enough to fasten around your waist). 
4. put right sides together and stitch all the way around the rectangle (no need to leave a gap for turning, just remember to undo the zip enough to turn the fabric through!!)
5. once you have sewn that, overlock or zigzag stitch around again for strength.
6. turn out and press.

You now have a finished money apron. the next steps are not needed, so if your just a beginner or prefer a simple design you can stop and admire your work. If you want to add more, follow these last two steps...

1. mark a line where you would like a divide then draw a line to about half / three quarters way up, then sew up this line.
2. add bias binding around the edges for extra colour and decoration.

 

Mx